There are users complaining that QuickTime can't play mp4 on Mac. Though MP4 is listed as one of the supported formats by QuickTime Player, there are some MP4 files in codec that is proprietary to Microsoft. In fact, QuickTime Player support several formats only (namely mov, mpeg4, mpeg2, mpeg1, 3gpp, 3gpp2, avchd, avi, DV), and many popular formats are out of luck, including MP4 encoded with certain codec. Here are top MP4 video player for macOS.
Part 1: List of 2024 best MP4 Player for Mac
5KPlayer
Price: Free
Supported formats: Almost all popular formats, HD/4K/5K/8K UHD videos, DVD
Ads: Ads-free
5KPlayer is not only a free MP4 video player for Mac computer, but a Mac player for all formats. It's 100% free and clean of ads or virus. With massive codec library built-in, Mac users can smoothly play any MP4 files, H.265, WMV, AVI, MOV, MP4, M4V, FLV, MKV etc. Unlike some Mac MP4 players that may generate choppy or improper playback with high-res videos, 5KPlayer serves as a 4K UHD player with full support for 8K/5K/4K UHD, HD 1080P/720P.
Less CPU usage is also noticed even with UHD video. It offers online video downloader and Airplay media streamer.
VLC Media Player
Price: Free
Supported formats: Almost all popular formats, DVDs, Audio CDs, VCDs
Ads: Ads-free
VLC Media Player is one of the most popular Mac player for MP4 videos. Its robust features makes it one of 2017 best MP4 player Mac for free. It plays everything you throw at it, be it MP4, AVI, LFV, MOV, WMV, disc image, DVD, CD etc. Its long-term leading position is self-explanatory on its powerful features.
The only thing you may note is that VLC can't play mp4 on Mac smoothly in UHD resolution. Though you can solve this by enable the GPU decoding, which works with H.264 only. There are also users complaining on audio delay problem and outdated interface.
Elmedia Player
Price: Free (paid version available)
Supported formats: Almost all popular formats, HD videos
Ads: Ads-free
To free download 2024 best mp4 video player for macOS, Elmedia Player also stands as a good choice. This player is totally free and safe. A wide range of video/audio formats are supported, including MP4, FLV, WMV, MOV, AVI and more to allow users play MP4 on Mac freely. It surpasses many other competitors for that it integrates an online browser and Airplay streamer.
The player has its drawbacks that it plays mp4 videos in up to HD only, where massive CPU is occupied. Some useful features like online video download is bounded with the Pro version, which is priced at $19.95.
Cisdem Video Player for Mac
Price: Free (paid version available)
Supported formats: 50+ video/audio formats, 4K/5K/HD videos
Ads: Ads-free
Cisdem Video Player is a 100% FREE MP4 player for macOS. It loads videos fast, plays most file formats and runs smoothly with HD/UHD videos without buffering or crashes. You will rarely experience MP4 not paying on Mac problem with the player. You're also allowed to add extra subtitles to the movie directly.
Comparing with other programs, this video player falls in limited playable formats. Meanwhile, note that it supports El Capitan now and is compatible with the latest macOS.
DivX Player
Price: Free (paid version available)
Supported formats: Most popular formats, Ultra HD 4K Videos
Ads: Ads-supported
DivX Player is a famous 4K media player to play 4K HEVC videos. It plays a variety of formats on Mac, including AVI, DIVX, MKV, MP4 and more. If you want a free Mac MP4 player that gives you the highest playback quality and best compression, DivX Player is undoubtedly the best choice, as it is dedicated for Ultra HD videos. Plus, it has a huge number of additional features.
It will be an even better HD MP4 video player for Mac if there the ads can be removed. Besides, the DivX pack comes large in size and more functions are available with the paid version.
Movist for Mac
Price: Free (paid version available)
Supported formats: Most popular formats, Ultra HD 4K Videos
Ads: Ads-free
If your QuickTime Player can't play MP4 on Mac smoothly, free download MP4 player on Mac Movist. This is a QuickTime alternative video player that plays a plethora of media formats not supported by QuickTime. A wide range of playback navigation options are offered. Most importantly, it has the most flexible subtitle control available, with which you can adjust the subtitles as you like.
Part 2: How to Play MP4 and Any Other Formats on Mac Freely
If you can't play MP4 files on any Mac MP4 players 2022 due to uncommon codecs, or have trouble with other formats, there is another way to allow you play videos in any formats freely in addition to a MP4 video player for Mac: converting videos. For the widest formats supported and highest playback quality, here MacX Video Converter Pro is selected:
- Built in 320+ video and 50+ audio codecs, it converts any MKV, MTS, MOV, AVI, H.264, H.265, HEVC any videos freely to format supported by your player;
- Output videos to any media players, iPhone, iPad, Android and other mobiles;
- Free download MP4 videos, other web files from YouTube, FaceBook, Vimeo, Vevo and 1000 more sites;
- Convert 4K UHD, 8K/5K, HD videos with untouched quality loss;
- No.1 converter with Intel QSV/Nvidia/AMD hardware acceleration support to ensure the fastest video to MP4 conversion speed.
How to Convert Any Videos for MP4 Video Players on Mac
Step 1: Free download this high-end MP4 video converter on Mac or Windows computer and open it. Then click "Add File" button to load the MP4 videos not playing on Mac (or any other formats).
Step 2: Choose an output format. To convert videos for any free Mac MP4 player (as well as QuickTime Player), select MP4 H.264 as the output format. (you can also select a compatible video format for iPhone, iPad or Android devices)
Step 3: Click "Browse" button to select a destination folder and click OK.
Tips: Please do check the Intel box to enable the hardware acceleration tech to boost the mp4 conversion on Mac.
Step 4: Click "RUN" button to start converting videos to MP4. Then you can play the output MP4 videos on QuickTime Player or other MP4 video players for macOS.
Candice's particularly skilled in writing and sharing video-related contents. Her guides cover from deep-seated video/audio parameters, to media entertainment on different platforms. She also enjoys shooting and processing videos by herself for a more reliable basis of informative info with her articles, which are never at the expense of eliminating an entertaining read.
